Got lots of free books the other day. Was smart this time and mailed them home instead of having my suitcase be overweight at the airport!! Library conferences are chock full of free books, the publishers bring advance unedited copies and give them away. Got a Stephen King and a Joyce Carol Oates, fun stuff.
In my wanderings over the past couple of days I’ve lost count of how many residents I’ve spoken with who have thanked me for coming here. The conference even has made national news and I think I heard on the Today show this morning that they will be here tomorrow. Nothing like being the first enormous conference to come to NOLA to get librarians on the radar, if at least for a day or two.
I’ve eaten good food, drank many a good drink. Chad, if you are reading this, the bloody mary’s have been to DIE FOR! Of course, I haven’t had one of Ashleys yet 
Professionally it has been a good conference. Productive meetings, more networking, finally feeling like I belong.
Tomorrow is the best day of the year then I head home on Tuesday. The shuttle is coming at 3:55am to pick me up. yum.
I arrived in New Orleans today. I have to admit I’ve had mixed feelings about coming down here for the conference. At first I didn’t really want to go, then I decided I had a professional obligation to go since I was serving on a couple of committees but I still wasn’t crazy about coming here. Now I’m here, and as I write (slightly buzzed from a beer and a few bloody mary’s from some bar called Tropical Isle where Al made two of the best bloody marys I’ve ever tasted (no worries, Chuck, my colleague, was there with me!)) I am feeling better about my decision to come to New Orleans. Upon arrival it was immediate how grateful the residents of this city are to have us here. We are the first major conference to be here since Katrina hit (with an estimated 18,000 librarians arriving today and tomorrow) and the signs all over the city exude appreciation.
I was in Jackson Square listening to some music and I saw a guy walking a German Shorthaired Pointer. Of course I had to go talk to him (great dog - ticked with liver spots named Wolfgang!). We talked dogs for awhile but then he got to asking why I was here etc. I told him it was for a library conference, he thanked me for coming. He wasn’t the first. My personal feelings aside, it is great to be here, to give the residents of this city hope that things can get back to normal, whatever normal is for them.
There is evidence everywhere that not long ago something terrible happened. Skyscrapers boarded up, remnants of buildings crumbling, debris scattered on roof tops as you drive by on the highway, trailers in the yards of many homes as people rebuild their lives, a big sign on the Superdome announcing their reopening date of September 26, 2006. Even downtown and in the French Quarter where things weren’t ’so bad’ you can see visible signs of what occurred last August.
I am safe, my hotel isn’t to far from the French Quarter or the convention center. There are plenty of police around and no, no sign of the National Guard, they are here to patrol other neighborhoods that are far worse off.
While I was uncertain about coming here, now that I am here I am grateful that I can be part of something that gives New Orleans and its residents hope of better things to come.
Leaving Sunday August 6th from Chicago.
Returning Friday August 25th from Seoul.
Three glorious weeks in Korea.
I’ll admit to being nervous about traveling alone. It’s been quite awhile since I have. I know I will be ok, but it still adds a little stress to the trip. But it forces me to talk to people, ask for help and stretch my adventure comfort level 
I have no set itinerary yet. I know that from the 20th until I leave on the 25th I will be in Seoul. The two weeks before that are currently up in the air. I’ll post as I set things more in stone. Or not!
Drove to Iowa City this weekend to do some major Christmas shopping. Went with three friends, stayed overnight, ate out, and shopped all day long. Sometimes it is frustrating to have to drive two hours or more just to go shopping. I miss the quick 20 minute drive to the KOP mall. I also miss the KOP mall!!!
I’m away yet again this week. It’s been a terribly busy semester with all of the travel I’ve done. California, New Jersey, Washington D.C., Quad Cities, and now Lisle. I’m contemplating spending Thanksgiving in Florida with my sister. Do I want to drive 15 hours for a long weekend? It remains to be seen. I’d love to get away and go someplace just to relax, and someplace warm too! But I think I will miss the days of cooking for Thanksgiving…that has become MY tradition and a tradition I really enjoy. I don’t know when I’ll decide.
I’m leaving this afternoon to head to Lisle, Illinois to participate in the last session of a year long leadership development program sponsored by the Illinois State Library. It’s been an incredibly positive experience for me and has helped me be a better worker, thinker and boss (i hope!) . These sessions coupled with the experience I’ve had with James (my boss) have really made a difference in my confidence level over the past three years. I am sad that James has to leave because I feel like I still have so much to learn and I will miss the debriefing sessions we have after meetings. I can only hope an appropriate job opens in Alaska! Yes, I’d take it. Simply for the experience of living there. I’m hoping next summer to drive up and visit James and Lori, but that is certainly for another post.
Well, back to work and to try to track Michael down to see if he wants to have coffee before I leave.